August Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa
This month we are delighted to share an interview with Me In This Moment volunteer, Lisa!
Where are you from?
I was born in Louisville KY and then lived in Illinois, New York, Ohio, Wyoming, Washington, and Texas before moving to New Orleans when I was 27.
What first brought you to 826 New Orleans?
You know, I am not sure how I found 826. I might have found you on Volunteer Match. I am always looking for a way to work with students. It looked interesting and it turned out to be even better than I expected. A good pandemic volunteer job.
What keeps you coming back?
I love hearing people’s stories. They are beautiful, sad, heartbreaking, funny, uplifting, and sometimes frightening. And I love watching the stories develop and grow. I feel like I know so much about all the writers even though we have only met through words on the internet.
What are some skills you have that help you out at 826 New Orleans?
I used to be a geologist and also a technical writer and editor. So, I am a pretty good editor. But, the last part of my career, I was a science teacher. You have to be able to be a good observer as a scientist. And, you need to be able to accurately explain those observations. My studends had to work hard on those skills. So, who knew, turns out that creative writing has a lot in common being a scientist. And I love to read. That is a huge help.
What are you up to when you’re not volunteering with us?
I live on a mini-farm in Abita Springs and we have dogs, cats, donkeys, chickens bees and gardens. All that keeps me kind of too busy. I sometimes teach classes on textile arts. I am an embroidery nerd. And, when it isn’t raining and or unbearably humid (covers too much time), I like to bike, hike, kayak. I read and cook. I miss my two sons who leave in San Antonio and Los Angeles. Under normal times, I try and visit them as often as I can.
Favorite book/ author?
Oh, that is so hard! I will tell you the book I’ve loved the most that I read lately. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. And, Jane Austen is the author that I can read over and over again. I like many different genres: YA, science fiction, historical fiction, mysteries. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction. Weird for a scientist!
